Jason Smith previews tonight's top high school football games

Running back Joshua Calhoun (center) and Melrose struggled offensively last week, but still managed to defeat Wooddale. The Golden Wildcats face a tougher challenge tonight as they take on Mitchell.

JASON'S PREVIEWS OF TONIGHT'S TOP GAMES

(1) MUS (4-0) at (2) Olive Branch (3-0)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Story lines: MUS beat Olive Branch, 29-22, at Hull-Dobbs Field last season. This time, however, the target is squarely on the backs of the top-ranked Owls, who have won 17 straight games going back to last season. Olive Branch amassed a whopping 520 yards in a 31-20 win over Brentwood Academy last week. MUS tuned up for this one with a 59-7 win over Overton.

Melrose (1-2) vs. (3) Mitchell (4-0)

Time/place: 7 p.m., J.P. Freeman Stadium

Story lines: Mitchell is averaging a gaudy 43.3 points per game while giving up just 6.5 this season. The Tigers dismantled Fairley, 42-6, last week at Freeman, rolling up 425 yards in the process. Melrose picked up its first win last Friday, a 14-0 decision over Wooddale, despite being outgained, 219-176. Sophomore quarterback Will Gross has passed for 519 yards, two scores and three interceptions in his first three games for Melrose.

(4) CBHS (4-0) at (6) Whitehaven (3-1)

Time: 7 p.m.

Story lines: CBHS was too much for previously No. 2-ranked White Station last week, winning 27-0 in its home opener. The Purple Wave limited the Spartans to just 147 total yards in that one. CBHS hasn't allowed a point now in seven consecutive quarters. Whitehaven scored 27 second-half points last week in a 40-20 victory over Ridgeway. The game had been tied at 13-all at halftime before senior running back Tony Jefferson scored three second-half touchdowns to help Whitehaven pull away.

(5) White Station (3-1) vs. (8) East (2-2)

Time/place: 7 p.m., Fairgrounds

Story lines: One of these two will drop to 1-1 in district play tonight, as White Station and East meet for the first time as District 16-AAA rivals. The Mustangs shut out Southwind 28-0 last week, while White Station was on the opposite end of a shutout in a 27-0 road loss to CBHS. Senior offensive standout Brian Kimbrow is averaging 128.5 rushing yards per game for East, which features another standout playmaker under center in senior Jaszy Parker (834 total yds., 9 TDs).

(7) Germantown (2-1) at Houston (2-2)

Time: 7 p.m.

Story lines: The Red Devils totaled 444 rushing yards in a 42-0 win over Hamilton last week. Senior running back Sirgregory Thornton (354 rushing yds., 5 TDs) leads Germantown's potent option rushing attack. Houston has bounced back from an 0-2 start with consecutive wins over Ridgeway and Bartlett. Last week, the Mustangs held Bartlett scoreless in the second half despite allowing more than 380 rushing yards. Offensively, Houston senior running back Mike Williams has rushed for 380 yards and five touchdowns.

(9) ECS (3-0) at Bolton (2-1)

Time: 7 p.m.

Story lines: ECS did most of its offensive damage on the ground last week in a 31-7 home victory over previously undefeated St. George's, rushing for 355 yards and three scores. Junior running back Davis Childers (443 rushing yds., 4 TDs) has emerged as the Eagles' top rushing threat. Bolton attempted just five passes in a 37-8 victory over Central last Friday in which the Wildcats picked up all 307 of their yards on the ground. Bolton sophomore back Jamel Harbison rushed for 194 yards and two scores in the win.

Douglass (3-1) at (10) Southaven (3-0)

Time/place: 7:30 p.m.

Story lines: After dropping its season opener against FACS, Douglass has won three straight contests, against Oakhaven, Westwood and Carver. Junior quarterback Samario Bankston is averaging 185 total yards per game for the Red Devils. Southaven junior quarterback Dominique Harris is off to a sizzling start in his first season under center. Last week, Harris ran for a pair of scores and threw for two more in the first quarter of the Chargers' 41-7 victory over previously unbeaten Hernando.

(11) Craigmont (3-0) at Cordova (1-2)

Time: 7 p.m.

Story lines: Craigmont has done it with defense so far this season, having allowed a District 14-AAA low 42 points in wins over Kirby, Bolton and Kingsbury. Last week, the Chiefs had four interceptions in a 29-10 win over the Falcons. It was the second time this season Craigmont has picked off four passes in a game. Cordova fell, 35-10, at home last week against DeSoto Central.